Devils deal struggling Flyers costly loss

Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Adam Henrique posted two goals and an assist as
the New Jersey Devils took a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in the front
end of a home-and-home set on Wednesday.

Andrei Loktionov and Patrik Elias each posted a goal and an assist for the
Devils, who have won three of their last four. Ilya Kovalchuk had the other
goal while Johan Hedberg made 23 saves.

"We had a lot of chances tonight and did a good job of putting them away,"
said Kovalchuk. "Hopefully this gives us a big jump and we'll be able to carry
it into Philly."

Jakub Voracek and Scott Hartnell scored for the Flyers, who were coming off a
win against Buffalo on Sunday but fell for the fourth time in the past five
games. Ilya Bryzgalov was tagged for all five goals on 32 shots.

"They beat us tonight and that's all there is to it," said Bryzgalov. "I
really have no idea what to say about this aside from that I'm just tired and
have no emotions. A lot of disappointment right now."

These two teams will meet in Philadelphia on Friday.

The Devils grabbed the lead just 2:02 into the game as a turnover in the
Philly end resulted in Elias eventually getting the puck down low and slipping
in a backhand.

Philly tied the game on the power play near the midway mark of the first as
Wayne Simmonds passed it from the low left side to the right circle where a
cutting Voracek one-timed it home.

It was all New Jersey from there, though.

Just 36 seconds after the Flyers tied the game, Henrique snapped a wrister
from the right circle that went off the right pad of Bryzgalov then hit off
Matt Read before going into the net.

Kovalchuk made it a 3-1 game while shorthanded as Read was unable to keep the
puck in the zone and it went the other way. Kovalchuk caught up to the disc in
the Flyers end down the right wing and snapped a wrister that beat Bryzgalov
to the glove with 2:42 left in the first period.

The Devils took a 4-1 lead 6:31 into the second as Loktionov brought the puck
in down the left wing, dragged the puck to the slot and snapped it into the
net for his fourth goal of the season.

Henrique notched his second of the game on the power play 76 seconds into the
third period while Hartnell scored inside of four minutes to play to cap the
scoring in the contest.

Game Notes

Philly was 1-for-4 on the power play while New Jersey went 1-for-6 ...
Philadelphia defenseman Luke Schenn was out of the lineup due to the flu ...
New Jersey has won all three games against Philadelphia this season,
outscoring the Flyers, 13-5.